Posted Sun Jan 27, 2013, 11:28am Subject: Re: What is the cheapest new bare bones espresso maker that I can get.

Jenn312,I agree with the Hario hand grinder 100%.For God's sake don't buy a @#$%^&*! moka pot! The Mypressi hand operated espresso machine makes real espresso, so real that it will allow to judge to quality differences in coffee grinders. People who cry out against buying the N2O (or CO2) cartridges that it requires do not understand that they add only about 8 cents to the cost of one shot. I have been using my Mypressi for 1 - 1/2 years now and only had to replace one showerhead. It has otherwise performed flawlessly in that time.Another important advantage of the Mypressi over the Moka pot: it will teach you the rudiments of how to operate an espresso machine; the moka pot will not. To the barista critics who might take issue with this: we are talking rudiments here. For instance, you can 'naked portafilter' the Mypressi just by leaving the bottom spout off. Read this forum and you will observe that visualizing the stream coming out of your basket goes a long way toward learning grinding, tamping and other grind-handling techniques. With virtually all espresso machines, you otherwise have to machine off the metal spouts at the bottom of the portafilter or buy an expensive specialty second handle in order to have access to visualizing the stream. With the Mypressi, you will know if you have problems with channeling and therefore have to learn the 'Weiss Declumping Technique' (it takes four seconds). With the Moke pot you will never know if the quality of your brew is being degraded by channeling or not, since you will never be able to see it.My situation is unique. I am staying with my Mypressi. I upgraded my grinder from a Hario mini ($40) to a Gaggia MDF ($200) to a Compak K-10 ($1400) and the Mypressi can transmit the quality differences in grind. A moka pot (in my opinion) would be blind in more way than one.The Mypressi plus Hario should cost you exactly $200, not including shipping, unless you can surf around for a deal.

Good. Now just read a bit and figure out what you are looking for. Better coffee? or it must be espresso. Then re-look at your options for each. If you put the time in now, you will be more satisfied with your purchase, than if you get something, then realize it isn't what you wanted. Maybe you do really only want espresso. Then, yes, maybe the mypressi is an option you'd be interested in. But, realize it has a bit of prep involved. There are disposable NO2 catridges that can be pricey unless you buy in mega bulk....but maybe that is would interest you. Glad you are slowing down and thinking. you should be absolutely information overload at this point.

Posted Sun Jan 27, 2013, 12:15pm Subject: Re: What is the cheapest new bare bones espresso maker that I can get.

diggi Said:

Good. Now just read a bit and figure out what you are looking for. Better coffee? or it must be espresso. Then re-look at your options for each. If you put the time in now, you will be more satisfied with your purchase, than if you get something, then realize it isn't what you wanted. Maybe you do really only want espresso. Then, yes, maybe the mypressi is an option you'd be interested in. But, realize it has a bit of prep involved. There are disposable NO2 catridges that can be pricey unless you buy in mega bulk....but maybe that is would interest you. Glad you are slowing down and thinking. you should be absolutely information overload at this point.

Posted Sun Jan 27, 2013, 12:18pm Subject: Re: What is the cheapest new bare bones espresso maker that I can get.

Sorry. Ok. You do not know that the Mypressi exists. It used to cost 149, now up to 169. Other hand espresso makers operating on the same pressure principle are artisianal-made in small numbers and cost $400 and up. if you have not done so, surf and read about the Mypressi. Read the reviews on this website, including mine, and on Home Barista.Forget what I said about learning WDT, channeling, tamping, etc. That will all start to be part of your curiosity in days to come at your own pace if you buy a starter expresso machine but you will miss out on any of these discoveries if you sit with a moka pot.Just read a little bit more before plopping down your money.This is an unfair thing to say (moka pot has been around 60 years, the Mypressi just 5 (?)) but you usually find plenty of moka pots available at yard sales and thrift shops but I challenge anyone to say that they have seen a Mypressi there. Also, resale value. Mypressis occasionally (rarely) are offered for sale on this website with good resale value (if cared for). Moka pots go for cheap, or are just not worth the shipping.

Same boiler as in the Classic and cycles quickly.People rant on being aluminum and my next machine up ( I am thinking of Quickmill Silvano) wont have one butthey work fine,mine has for five years. The myth that they corrode inside is just that a myth.

Jenn312 Said:

But isn't this machine and grinder also subpar, would I still have a difficult time producing decent espresso shots? The machine itself is only $199 which is less than the Aroma which a lot of people discouraged me from .

Posted Sun Jan 27, 2013, 12:36pm Subject: Re: What is the cheapest new bare bones espresso maker that I can get.

diggi Said:

There are disposable NO2 catridges that can be pricey unless you buy in mega bulk....but maybe that is would interest you. Glad you are slowing down and thinking. you should be absolutely information overload at this point.

They ship to all 50 states. States outlawing the importing of nitrous oxide cartridges is just another unsubstantiated CG myth.

Three boxes at a time today cost $35 (includes shipping). 35.00/72=.48 I reliably get five shots from every cartridge, so it cost me .10 per shot.Actually, there are posts on this website from people who are ordering cartridges at lower prices than I am quoting.

If anyone else thinks that three boxes of cartridges for $35-38 is a megapurchase, please contradict me. Also note that I do not have to buy Urnex, a blind portafilter for backflushing, replace a thermostat, descale the boiler, or take my espresso machine in for service.

People who do not own a Mypressi and have never bought N2O cartridges seem to have the most knowledge about their inconvenience.

Posted Sun Jan 27, 2013, 1:01pm Subject: Re: What is the cheapest new bare bones espresso maker that I can get.

Mypressi sounds like a pain to me for every day use but if you get one of those and later get a machine you can use mypressi for travel, office and camping so it is less of a waste for my money. And if he is correct about the resale then it is something to think about.

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